Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-24

Johns ambulance things, and now, Kate,
here's a chance for you to show the value of
your education in the ambulance class. The
ball has got to be extracted Here's your OPP
portunity."
Kate looked at her sister curiously. There
was faint pink flush on her pale cheeks, and
her eyes were gently sparkling. She had
never seen her look so pretty before.
"Why not have sent Manuel for doctor ct
onceg" asked Kate.
"The nearest doctor is fifteen miles away,
and Manuel is nowhere to be found. Per-
haps he's gone to look after the stock. There's
some talk of snow; imagine the absurdity
of itm
"But who are they?"
"They speak of themselves as Friends as
if it were a profession. Tho wounded ono
was passenger, | suppose"
"But what are they lilxe" continued Kate.
II suppose they're like them ALL"
Mrs Hale shrugged her shoulders.
"The wounded one, when he's not fainting
away, is laughing The other is creature
with mustache and gloomy beyond ex-
preston"
what are you going to do with thomp
said Kate.
"What should do? Even without Johns
letter l could not refuse the shelter of my
house to wounded and helpless man.
shall keep him. of course until John comes
Why, Kate, really believe you are so pre-
JUDGED against these people you'd like to
A. DE- I
you like them so well. Well, you need not
fear to expose yourself to the destinations of
the wounded Christy MinstreI-I'm SIRE he's
that--or to the unspeakable one who is shy
ness itself, and would not dare to raise his
eyes to you"
There was a timid, hesitating step in the
passage. It paused before the door, moved
away, returned, and finally asserted its in
tentions in the gentlest of taps.
"Its him; I'm sure of it" said Mrs. Hale,
with a suppressed smile.
Kate threw open the door smartly, to tho
extreme discontinue Of a tall, dark figure
that already had skunk away from it. For
all that he was a good looking enough fell
low, with q mustache as long and almost as
noticing also that his hand which was ner-
vously pulling the mustache, was white and
thin.
excuse me-" he stammered without rails
ing his eyes, a was looking for-for-the old
lady. I-I.beg your pardon. I didn't know
that you-the young ladies-company-w
here 1 intended only wanted to say that
To at +l,o ;olt
smile that passed quickly over Mrs. Hales
mouth and his pale face Redeemed with an
angry flush.
II hope he is not worse" said Mrs. Hale,
with moro than her usual languid gentle
ness. my mother il not here at present.
Can lean ,Oe-this is my sister-do as wella"
Without looking up he made constrained
recognition Of Hates presence, that, embar-
raised and curt as it was, had none of the
awkwardness of rusticity.
"Thank you; you're very kind. But my
friend is a little stronger, and if you can lend
me an extra horse I'll try to get him on the
Summit tonight"
"But you surely will not take him away
from us SO soong' said Mrs. Hale, with a
languid look of alarm, in which Kate, how
ever, detected certain real feeling "Wais
at least until my husband returns to-mor-
row"
Gle won't be here tomorrow said the
stranger hastily. He stopped, and as quickly
corrected himself. "That Is, his business is
so very uncertain, my friend says"
Only Kate noticed the slip; but she noticed
also that her sister was apparently uncon-
scious of it You think" she said "that
Mr. Hale may be delayed?"
He turned upon her almost brusque,y. II
mean that it is already showing up there
he pointed through the window to the cloud
Kate had noticed; "if it comes down lower
in the pass the roads viii be blocked up.
That is why it would be better for us to try
and get ON at once"
"But if Mr. Hale is likely to be stopped by
snow so are you" said Mrs. Hale playfully;
"and you had better let us try to make your
friend comfortable here rather than expose
him TO that uncertainty in his weak con-
dition. We win do our best for him.
show her skill in surgery" she continued,
with an unexpected mischievousness that only
added to Kates surprised embarrassment.
Aren't you, Katel'
Equiyocal as the young girl knew her
silence appeared, she was unable to utter the
simplest polite evasion. Some unaccountable
impulse kept her constrained and specifies.
The stranger did not, however, wait for her
reply, but, casting swift, hurried glance
around the room, said, Its impossible; we
must go. In fact, I've already taken the lib
erty to order the horses round. They are at
the door now. You may be certain he
added with quick earnestness, suddenly lift
ing his dark eyes to Mrs. Hale, and as rapidly
withdrawing them, "that your horse viii be
returned at once, and-and-we won't forget
your kindness lie stopped and turned to-
ward the hall. "I-I have brought my
friend down stairs He wants to thank you
before he goes"
As be remained standing in the hall the
two women stepped to the door. To their
surprise, half reclining on a cane sofa, was
the wounded man, and what could be seen Of
his slight figure was wrapped in q dark
serape His beardless face gave him a quaint
boyiShnesS quite inconsistent with the mature
lines of his temples and forehead Pale, and
in pain Is Ae evidently was, his blue eyes
twinkled with intense amusement. Not only
did his manner offer marked contrast to